Arranging furniture is itself a daunting task. What makes it more challenging? When you have a small apartment. Filling it with furniture in a way that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical can be overwhelming. But gradually, interior designers have identified many easy-to-apply, simple principles that do wonders for small spaces. Just abide by these rules and you will be surprised to know that arranging furniture is fun. Some tips on ways to arrange furniture in a small apartment living room are mentioned below.

Choose a focal point

Never underestimate the importance of a focal point in a small apartment. Sometimes you have a built-in focal point. For instance, a fireplace mantel or a prominent window. While there are times when you may have to create them, as with televisions and media units. You cannot spread your furniture anywhere. They will take up too much space in an already small apartment. It’s recommended to arrange furniture around the focal point as much as possible.

Don’t push furniture against the wall

The area of the room dictates how far you can arrange the furniture away from the walls. But even with a small apartment, you would want to leave a little breathing area. This can be done by pulling the backs of the furniture and the walls. You will be happy to know that this little trick can make your space seem bigger. You can arrange conversation areas in the middle of the room.

Create conversation areas

People should be able to speak to each other without having to shout across the room. Arrange the sofas and chairs to face each other. They do not need to be straight, but they should be close. They should be close enough so that people can speak to each other conveniently. For a small apartment living room, one conversation area is sufficient.

Consider traffic flow

It is one of the most important points to consider while arranging furniture in any room. People shouldn’t keep on tripping over furniture while performing the simple task of passing the room. There must be a few feet of gap between the soda and the coffee table, and chairs. Construct a clear path so that people can pass from one room to another without difficulty.

Utilize the right-size rugs

If you can manage it, there must an area rug under every furniture. You may expose some flooring around the edges of the space. But you must choose a rug that is of the right size. It is important as all the furniture in the seating area can rest on it. The front legs must rest on the rugs even if the back legs are on the floor.

Get the right sized coffee table

When the question about the size of the coffee table is concerned, the bigger the better. A large coffee table in the middle of the seating space is good for both functionally and aesthetically. The table must leave enough space for people to lay their drinks. Also, it must allow you to showcase your favourite display pieces. A large table allows easy access from the seats around it. However, in a small apartment, you must be careful to get one of the appropriate sizes. Ensure that enough space is left between the coffee table and seating for people to pass through.

 Place tables at arm’s length

Every seating furniture must have easy access to either a coffee table or a side table. Avoid arrangements that compel people to move from their seats to retrieve or set down drinks. When it comes to table height:

·         For coffee tables, the size should be the same as the height of sofa seats.

·         Side tables should be the same height as the nearby chair arms.

  Let there be light

Even though it’s neglected the most, lighting is one of the most important aspects of any room. Always use a mix of floor lamps, table lamps, sconces, and overhead lights. A floor lamp looks good behind the accent chair or at the end of a sofa. Table lamps look great on shelves, mantels, and side tables. Lighting has to be arranged at different levels to be properly balanced. You may use different kinds of lights liberally throughout your room.

Use the right-sized artwork

Everything that’s hung on the wall needs to be proportionately sized according to the furniture. Also, it is required to be placed strategically. It is advisable not to hang a small photo over the back of your sofa. You can use a piece that is about two-thirds the length of the sofa. If you love a tiny picture to the point you must hang it the put in a larger frame with matte around it. It looks aesthetically pleasing when it is positioned around a large furniture piece.

Putting it all together

For small apartments, it’s advisable to plan ahead if you are planning to buy new pieces. You can use the old-fashioned graph paper to draw out your desired floor plan. Or you can make use of the online floor planner. It is the best way to know whether the pieces you are buying will fit as desired.